Friday, April 20, 2012

The LBJ Ranch, Wildseed Farms and Luckenbach, Texas

When I left you last, we were on our last day at Potter’s Creek COE at Canyon Lake, TX and the weather report for Sunday, travel day, was not looking good. As we expected, Sunday morning was extremely windy and as the morning progressed, the wind increased and the sky became eerily black. There were high wind and storm warnings and it was not a condition favorable for a high profile vehicle. Rick drove the Jeep to the office and asked them if we could extend for an additional day due to weather conditions. They didn’t hesitate to allow this telling him they wouldn’t want to travel in this weather either. So now we know. The 14 day limit at COE parks is flexible, at least if there is a weather issue.

On Monday, the sun was shining, the wind was much, much calmer and we left Potter’s Creek. Our destination was less than 100 miles west in Kerrville, TX. We arrived at Triple T RV Resort mid-afternoon and settled into site 22. This park has a lot of potential. It’s fairly new, but it looks like the money ran out and development has been halted pending additional funding. We had a nice long, gravel pull through site and it is fairly level. Many of the sites need help with the leveling aspect.

Our view toward the entrance

Rick checking out the water temp at the pool.

Lucy, from our view walking back from the pool area

All in all, this is a nice place. The personnel are friendly and helpful, the price is right and, if it’s still in operation the next time we are through this area, we’d definitely stay here again.

After catching up on laundry on Tuesday, we took off to play on Wednesday. First up, the LBJ ranch. The LBJ ranch is located on the Pedernales River. President and Mrs. Johnson donated a large portion of the ranch to the National Park Service in 1972. After the President’s death in 1973, Mrs. Johnson continued to live at the Ranch part time until her death in 2007. President Johnson stipulated to park planners that the ranch remain a working ranch and not turn into a “sterile relic of the past”. To comply with that stipulation, the NPS maintains a herd of Hereford cattle descended from the President’s registered herd and manages the land as of living demonstration of ranching the LBJ way.

The Visitor’s Center where you must check in and get a permit to drive the ranch. What surprised me was that the tour is completely free (except for the interior of the house-$2) and they give you maps and a CD to listen to as you drive the ranch.

The Junction School, the first school LBJ attended at the age of 4.

The (reconstructed) birthplace of Lyndon Baines Johnson

LBJ lived in the house he was born in for the first 5 years of his life.

The Johnson Family Cemetery

LBJ was laid to rest in this cemetery on January 25, 1973 at the age of 64.

The farmhouse owned by LBJ’s grandparents, Sam Sr. and Eliza. They lived here their entire lives.

The beginning of the runway on the ranch where LBJ’s plane landed when he came home.

More runway

The runway ends at the Texas White House

The Texas White House property

Closer view of the house

We chose not to do the interior home tour as only a very few rooms are available for viewing at this time. We enjoyed the self-guided tour of the ranch and would highly recommend it if you’re in this area.

I looked up and was surprised to see something high up in this tree. Do you see it?

I zoomed in a little closer and what do I find but a big old rooster!

Walking around to get a frontal view, Mr. Rooster stood at attention and started crowing…right in the middle of Jimmy Lee’s song :) I’m still trying to figure out how he got up there so high!

That’s about all there is to Luckenbach, Texas. I wonder if Waylon Jennings knew what he was about to create when he penned that song?

Let's go to Luckenbach, Texas With Waylon and Willie and the boys This successful life we're livin' Got us feuding like the Hatfields and McCoys Between Hank Williams' pain songs and Newberry's train songs and Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain Out in Luckenbach, Texas ain't nobody feelin' no pain

Once we left Luckenbach, we headed to Fredericksburg to get a little lunch. On the way, we passed Wildseed Farms. What a stunning visual! They were doing a brisk business and the parking lot was almost full. I just wandered around taking pictures. Beautiful!

Fields upon fields of wild flowers…

Once again, I apologize for the number of photos, but it was just too hard to narrow it down to just a few. The display was spectacular!

We finally got to Fredericksburg and had our lunch. This sandwich was billed as “The Best Reuben in Town”.

I don’t think so. I’m still on the hunt for the best. We’ve a couple more days in this area. I might find it yet :)

this says it all......

"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you did not do, than the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor and catch tradewinds in your sail."Mark Twain

Followers

"Not all those who wander are lost."

J.R.R. Tolkien

this is us...

and this is us with Lucy, our Tiffin Allegro Bus

"As you grow older, you'll find the only things you regret are the things you didn't do."Zachary Scott